We had the first talk: “Syrian Traditional Music” as part of Celebrating Syria Festival at the Anthony Burgess Foundation on Saturday 2 November 2019. Professor Hassan Abbas, who travelled from Lebanon to the UK to deliver his talk, shed light of the abundance of the intangible cultural heritage displayed through different forms of Syrian traditional music.
On Saturday 2 November 2019 audience had the opportunity to bring their curiosity and playfulness and open their heart to what comes up and accept what is, using Mosaic Boards to facilitate the presence of mind and exploration of the senses. It was a thought-provoking workshop that exemplified the theme of this year’s festival: Mosaic.
The highlight of Celebrating Syria Festival 2019 was Saad Hajo’s special exhibition “ To See or Not to See: That is the Question... Ignorance is Bliss”, which took place at NIAMOS Manchester between 2 and 9 November. The exhibition was a cry against violence, and oppression and against the world’s indifference.
We had an exhibition tour, film screening and panel discussion at the Storey Lancaster on Friday 18 October 2019. The exhibition featured once again the creative artwork of the Syrian’s Artist Amani Al-Ali: “the Green Apple”, and reflected the feelings and experiences of Syrians about their journey and lives after 2011.
On 20 October 2019, A Youth Day was jointly coordinated by Rethink Rebuild Society and the Egyptian Community in the North West.
Rethink Rebuild Society hosted a seminar on hate crime in our multi-facility room on Sunday 13 October. The talks were given in Arabic by Rethink Rebuild. The speakers stressed the importance of recognising and reporting hate crime. After the talks, the floor was open for Q&A and the attendees added their input on their experiences.
On 12 October we participated in Journeys Live Festival Day that took place in the Cathedral Garden in Manchester City Centre. Brought by Journey Festival International in Manchester, Journeys Live was a day of free, live entertainment celebrating talented artists from around the world.
On Friday 11 October 2019. our wonderful colleagues Miss Dana Sharkas and Dr Moaz El Sayed were invited to participate in a panel discussion called "Helping Refugees Past and Present"at St Peters House in Manchester. The event was organised as part of Journeys Festival 2019 and highlighted why people engage in refugee work, and what challenges they encounter.
On Sunday 06 October, Rethink rebuild Society hosted a digital workshop organised by the Maps for Syria initiative (MFS).
Recent developments in Syria saw the government enacting new laws on property and estates, which endangered people’s rights to their own homes.
On Saturday 5 October, Rethink Rebuild Society participated in the activity organised in Longsight Library by Fun Palaces. Our table displayed samples of Syrian heritage and culture, offering visitors a cup of delicious Syrian coffee. Several visitors stopped by the beautifully-laid table to chat to us about Syria and our coffee-drinking habits.